Damper assembly for air conditioning unit

ABSTRACT

An air ventilating arrangement for conditioning air for a served space wherein a damper assembly is provided to regulate the flow of fresh air to a served space.

' 0 United States Patent 1151 3,659,432 Selhost 1451 May 2, 1972 [54] DAMPER ASSEMBLY FOR AIR 2,711,087 6/1955 Jennings ..62/427 CONDITIONING UNIT 2,852,181 9/1958 Kline ..62/427 2,917,904 12/1959 Inventor: Dale L. Selhost, Mollne, 2 401 5 0 [73] Assignee: American Air Filter Company, In 3,152,456 10/1964 Prendergast ..62/262 Louisville, Ky.

[22] Filed: July 23, 1970 Primary ExaminerWilliam J. Wye [21] 571560 Attorney-Ralph B. Brick and Charles 0. Lamb [52] US. Cl ..62/427, 62/262, 62/412 [51] Int. Cl ..F25d 17/06 CT 58 Field ofSearch.... .....62/262, 427 [57] An air ventilating arrangement for conditioning air for a [56] References Cited served space wherein a damper assembly is provided to regu- UNITED STATES PATENTS late the flow of fresh air to a served space. 2,71 1,086 6/1955 Silers ..62/427 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DAMPER ASSEMBLY FOR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Air conditioning units, as known in the art, provide for mechanically cooling and heating air for a given space to be served and also provide for the use of fresh outdoor air to ventilate and cool the space to be served. There are many methods of bringing in and controlling the flow of fresh air to the air ventilating units, but in each method the fresh air is mixed with served space air in a ratio wherein it is difficult to determine the amount of fresh air being brought in. Furthermore, mixing of fresh outdoor air with served space air to be conditioned for recirculating to the served space has required an elaborate system of flow control devices. For example, it is taught in the art that the fresh air for use in a served space is introduced into a chamber which is in communication with a served space inlet for recirculating served space air. The amount of fresh air admitted into the unit is regulated by one damper means whereas the served space air is regulated by a second damper means. Furthennore, if the fresh air inlet damper means is set in a stationary position and the served space air inlet damper means is varied, the quantity of fresh air being introduced into the unit will change with each change in position of the served space air inlet damper means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, it is recognized that it is desirable to provide a means for introducing a positive quantity of fresh air into an air conditioning unit. It is further desirable to provide an easily constructed and economical flow control means which may be used for positively introducing fresh air into an air ventilating unit. It is even further desirable to provide an air conditioning unit having unitary flow control means.

The present invention advantageously provides a straight forward arrangement of an air conditioning unit wherein a controlled amount of fresh air is introduced into the air ventilating unit. The present invention further provides a damper assembly as a flow control means for introducing fresh air into an air ventilating unit. The present invention also provides an air conditioning unit having unitary damper assembly means.

More particularly, the present invention provides an air conditioning unit comprising: a housing having a first served space air inlet, a second served space air inlet, a fresh air inlet, a served space air outlet, conditioning air means, and unitary flow control means; said conditioning air means being in communicative relation with said first served space air inlet, said served space air outlet, and said flow control means; and said flow control means being in communicative relation with said second served space air inlet and said fresh air inlet.

It is to be understood that the description of the examples of the present invention given hereinafter are not by way of limitation and that various modifications within the scope of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosures set forth hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view from the front side of an air conditioning unit showing the air fans section and the damper assembly along with certain enclosing panels for the exterior of the unit;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view in the nature of a plan view section illustrating a typical damper position open to outside air;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view in the nature of a plan view section illustrating a typical damper position open to served space air;

FIG. 4 is a partly broken plan view of a damper assembly; and,

FIG. 5 is a partly broken elevation view of a damper assembly as viewed from the fan inlet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as seen in the figures, FIG. 1 shows the arrangement within the front side of an air conditioning unit as viewed from a served space. The principal elements illustrated in this view are the main top wall panel I, a side wall panel 2, and served space air fan assembly 3 (FIG. 2) including fans 3a and 3b driven by an appropriate intermediate motor 4. Each of the fans 3a and 3b have two separate inlets. Of these inlets, only inlet 9 is shown. The other three inlets are not shown, but make up the served space air inlet described hereinafter as served space air inlet 16. Damper assembly 6 is shaped in a mating fit with the opening in the fresh air conduit 7, the lower front access panel 8 of the louvered character to admit served space air into the unit, and the inlet 9 to the squirrel cage air fan 3a. Damper assembly 6 is provided with a damper 11, a damper adjusting lever 12, and served space air inlet 13 which is in communication with the lower front access panel 8. FIG. 1 further provides a main front wall panel 14 which outer fits with main top wall panel 1 and vertical partition 5.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show in schematic the principal components in their assembled relation with the damper 11 in a position open to fresh air (FIG. 2) and in a position open to served space air (FIG. 3). v

Served space air fan assembly 3 includes, as pointed out hereinbefore, the squirrel cage air fans 3a and 3b and the intermediate motor 4 which drives these fans (FIG. 1 Three of the fan inlets to air fan assembly 3 communicate with served space inlet 16 which in turn is in communication with the louvered lower front access panel 8 illustrated in FIG. I. The inlets to air fan assembly 3 are also in communication with damper assembly 6 through opening 17. Opening 17 is in communicative relation with inlet 9 (FIG. 1 The outlets of fan assembly 3 communicate with the elements which are utilized to condition the air for a served space. These include cooling coil 18 and heating coil 19, respectively. Disposed downstream of the heating coil 19 is the outlet 21 to the space to be served by the conditioned air.

In operation, the air to be conditioned in the unit ventilator passes through the first served space inlet 16 and through opening 17. The air passing through opening 17 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is drawn into the unit as fresh air through fresh air inlet 22. On the other hand, the air passing through opening 17 as illustrated in FIG. 3, is drawn into the unit as served space air through second served space inlet 13.

. There is further provided schematically (FIGS. 2 and 3) a refrigerating zone 30 including condenser 24, condenser fan 26, associated therewith air inlet 27 disposed upstream of condenser fan 26, and air outlet 28 disposed downstream of condenser 24. A refrigerant from condenser 24 is supplied to the cooling coil 18 in conventional fashion (not shown).

Attention is directed to FIGS. 4 and 5 which illustrate one damper assembly in detail that may be used in the instant invention. Casing 29 is provided to house the working elements of damper assembly 6 (FIG. I). Damper shaft 36 extends through the top wall panel 48 and bottom wall panel 49 of casing 29. Damper shaft 36 is adapted to receive damper adjusting lever 12 at its outer end which extends through the top wall panel 48. Bearings 41 and 47 are provided in the top and bottom wall panels 48 and 49, respectively, and are adapted to receive damper shaft 36. Washer 46 is further provided to prevent wear on the top of bearing 47.

Damper blades 31a and 31b are constructed to attach to damper shaft 36 by fastener means 38, illustrated as a screw. The damper blades 31a and 31b are further provided with blade ends 33a and 33b of cross-sectioned T-shaped configuration to provide a snug fit when in engaging positions with longitudinally extending seal angles 34a or 34d and 34b or 34c, respectively. A suitable blade cover 32, such as mohair, rubber, polyurethane foam, and the like is provided to cover the damper blades 31a and 31b.

Over center spring means 44 is provided to maintain a positive pressure against the damper adjusting lever 12 to hold the damper 11 (FIG. 1) in position whether the damper is to be closed to fresh air or served space air. U"-shaped bracket 43 having an aperture 45 in one side leg of the bracket is provided for engaging with one end of the spring means 44. The base section of bracket 43 is attached to the top wall panel 48 of casing 29. The side vertical leg of the bracket 43 is in axial alignment with damper shaft 36 in relation to the flow of fresh and served space inlet air. The opposite end of the spring means 43 is attached to the L"-shaped bracket 42 which has one leg mounted on the damper adjusting lever 12.

' The damper assembly 6 (FIG. 1) is further provided with a filter 39 which extends transversely of the fresh air opening of casing 29 (FIG. 4) for cleaning the fresh air prior to entering the damper assembly 6.

Still a further provision is the seal 37 which is of a rectangular configuration and so constructed as to be adaptable to fit opening 17 (FIG. 2 and 3) which opening is the one in communication with the inlet 9 of the squirrel cage air fan 3a (FIG. 1). Seal 37 may be constructed of any gasket material which will handle vibration without breaking a seal between the damper assembly and the fan 3a. Preferred materials are plastic foams, such as polyurethane.

In the operation of an air conditioner utilizing the damper assembly 6, as described above, the damper assembly 6 may be set to introduce or exclude fresh air from a space to be served. If fresh air is to introduced into a space to be served, damper adjusting lever 12 is positioned so as to close off served space inlet 13 (FIG. 2) in which case the inlet side 9 of the squirrel cage fan 3a pulls in fresh air through fresh air inlet 22.

In the air conditioner, as illustrated in FIG. 1, there are two squirrel cage fans 30 and 3b, each having two inlets. As aforepointed out, only one of the inlets of only one fan is in communication with the damper assembly through opening 17 and opening 9.Thus, whenever fresh air is introduced it will represent about 25 percent of the total air being conditioned in'the ventilator. Therefore, no matter what other adjustments are made in the system as long as there are not obstructions in the conduit between the damper assembly 6 and the fresh air inlet 22 the amount of fresh air being brought into the system will remain at about 25 percent.

However, it is recognized that air conditioners may contain other types of fans than those illustrated in the drawings as well as more or less fans than those shown. In any case, the use of a single damper assembly, as described previously, in an air conditioner will always provide a positive and determinable amount of fresh air when open to admit said fresh air.

FIGS. 4 and illustrate that in this example of the instant invention there are only two positions in the operation of the damper assembly. That is, either fully closed to fresh air or fully open to fresh air. In the practice of the invention this type of operation will be preferred. However, it is within the scope of this invention to alter the damper assembly so it will operate at positions other than fully open or fully closed to fresh air.

What is claimed is:

1. An air conditioning unit comprising: a housing having a first served space air inlet, a second served space air inlet, a fresh air inlet, a served space air outlet, conditioning air means, and unitary flow control means; said conditioning air means being in communicative relation with said first served space air inlet, said served space air outlet, and said flow control means; and, said flow control means being in communicative relation with said second served space air inlet and said fresh air inlet whereby the air introduced to said conditioning air means from said second served space air inlet and said fresh air inlet is selectively controlled.

2. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the conditioning air means includes air heating means'and air cooling means.

3. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the unitary flow control means includes damper means.

4. The air conditioning unit of claim 3 wherein the damper means is operable in a fully open or fully closed position whereby solely second served space air or solely fresh air is allowed to pass through the damper means.

5. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the conditioning air means includes a fan assembly having a plurality of inlets, only one inlet being in communicative relation with said flow control means.

6. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the conditioning air means includes a fan assembly means having four inlets, only one inlet being in communicative relation with said flow controls means whereby a positive quantity of about 25 percent fresh air may be admitted to said air conditioning unit.

7. A damper assembly for use in an air conditioning unit including conditioning air means for a served space, a first served space air inlet in communication with said conditioning air means and a served space air outlet in communication with said conditioning air means comprising: a housing including an inlet which can serve as a second served space air inlet when combined with said air conditioning unit, a fresh air inlet, an air outlet which can communicate with said conditioning air means, and a pivotably supported damper, said damper being positioned to close off said air inlet which can serve as a second served space air inlet in one extreme position and to close off said fresh air inlet in the opposite extreme position.

8. The damper assembly of claim 7 wherein said damper is operable in a fully open or fully closed position whereby solely second served space air or solely fresh air is allowed to pass through the damper assembly. 

1. An air conditioning unit comprising: a housing having a first served space air inlet, a second served space air inlet, a fresh air inlet, a served space air outlet, conditioning air means, and unitary flow control means; said conditioning air means being in communicative relation with said first served space air inlet, said served space air outlet, and said flow control means; and, said flow control means being in communicative relation with said second served space air inlet and said fresh air inlet whereby the air introduced to said conditioning air means from said second served space air inlet and said fresh air inlet is selectively controlled.
 2. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the conditioning air means includes air heating means and air cooling means.
 3. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the unitary flow control means includes damper means.
 4. The air conditioning unit of claim 3 wherein the damper means is operable in a fully open or fully closed position whereby solely second served space air or solely fresh air is allowed to pass through the damper means.
 5. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the conditioning air means includes a fan assembly having a plurality of inlets, only one inlet being in communicative relation with said flow control means.
 6. The air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein the conditioning air means includes a fan assembly means having four inlets, only one inlet being in communicative relation with said flow controls means whereby a positive quantity of about 25 percent fresh air may be admitted to said air conditioning unit.
 7. A damper assembly for use in an air conditioning unit including conditioning air means for a served space, a first served space air inlet in communication with said conditioning air means and a served space air outlet in communication with said conditioning air means comprising: a housing including an inlet which can serve as a second served space air inlet when combined with said air conditioning unit, a fresh air inlet, an air outlet which can communicate with said conditioning air means, and a pivotably supported damper, said damper being positioned to close off said air inlet which can serve as a second served space air inlet in one extreme position and to close off said fresh air inlet in the opposite extreme position.
 8. The damper assembly of claim 7 wherein said damper is operable in a fully open or fully closed position whereby solely second served space air or solely fresh air is allowed to pass through the damper assembly. 